Written by: Darren Ho

Warriors FC vs Albirex Niigata (S)
(Friday, 30 September, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Albirex Niigata (S) can take another giant step towards the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title if they beat Warriors FC at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night.

Both teams went head-to-head in June, when Albirex edged out as eventual 3-2 winners in a tight affair.

Since then, leaders Albirex had notched four wins out of six in the S.League, with two successive defeats coming from Brunei DPMM, to extend their lead to seven points above second-seeded Tampines Rovers.

The Japanese side inched closer to their maiden S.League title following their r 1-0 victory against the Geylang International side the last time out.

Atsushi Shirota netted fourteen minutes from time, which was enough to put the game to bed.

A win at the Jalan Besar Stadium will surely put an end to the speculations on who will lift the title this season.

Their opponents, Warriors are faced with an uphill battle to climb, following three back-to-back defeats in August.

However, the Warriors had picked up four points in their last two matches against Balestier Khalsa to stay clear off the bottom two in the league.

Warriors coach Razif Onn wasn’t too pleased with his team’s last performance in the closing stages, when “fatigue” and  a “lost of concentration” took a toll on his players.

Having conceded a last mintute goal which inflicted to a 1-1 draw with Balestier Khalsa, Razif will be expecting his side to take their chances earlier and cease the game as quickly as they can.

Warriors will be facing a much tougher opponent this time, and stopping Albirex in their tracks to victory, will be a huge result for them.

Both teams are without any injury concern, but will be missing out on players due to suspension.

Suspension: Syaqir Sulaiman (Warriors FC), Rui Kumada (Albirex Niigata (S))

Warriors FC – LLLWD

22/09/19 Balestier Khalsa FC 1-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
26/08/16 Warriors FC 5-2 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
19/08/16  Brunei DPMM 3-0 Warriors FC (S.League)
12/08/16  Warriors FC 2-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
04/08/16  Home United 3-0 Warriors FC (S.League)

Albirex Niigata (S) – WWWWW

22/09/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Geylang International FC (S.League)
13/09/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (Singapore Cup)
09/09/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (Singapore Cup)
19/08/16  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
11/08/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 4-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

10/06/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-2 Warriors FC
18/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
30/10/15  Warriors FC 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S)
18/05/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-4 Warriors FC
14/03/15  Warriors FC 0-6 Albirex Niigata (S)